In what he said would be his final fight at lightweight, Michael Chiesa started strongly against Anthony Pettis, but the former WEC and UFC champion responded impressively, dropping and eventually tapping out Chiesa at UFC 226 in Las Vegas. It’s a much-needed win for Pettis to keep his name afloat among the top fighters in the lightweight division, whereas Chiesa, who missed weight, will head up to 170 on a two-fight losing skid.
It took only 20 seconds or thereabouts for Chiesa to pressure Pettis and take him down. Chiesa briefly threatened with an arm triangle, then took the back after some ground-and-pound, but lost position and Pettis was back to his feet, fending off a kimura sweep.